Newsworthy Sex! Let's talk about "sluts" ...

Okay, so if you're Canadian like me you have probably heard something about the recent, inappropriate and offensive comments made by a Toronto police officer while visiting York University in Toronto.  I'm referring to the comments stating that, to avoid being sexually assaulted (y'know, raped), women shouldn't dress like sluts.  Because *obviously* if a woman is raped, she's to blame (note the sarcasm!).

Out of the response to these comments (and the countless others like them), SlutWalk has been born.  If you're not familiar with SlutWalk, you can educate yourself here.

I haven't posted about this movement until now because I wanted to see where it would go and to further educate myself, before adding my voice to the chorus.  Rather than bombard you with my opinion on this issue (which you can probably gather on your own ... refer to the above sarcastic statement for insight), I'm going to point you onwards.  The blog I'm encouraging you to read, No Greater Male Supporter, is refreshing, insightful and well-written.  The particular post I've linked you to is an interesting examination of victim blaming, patriarchy and the way feminism is typically received (or rejected) in our society.  It's well worth reading!

Thank you to my dear friend Janet for sending it my way!

Enjoy!
Candice

This week ... Relationships!

This week's workshop is based on relationships.  Lots of different relationships ... friends, family, peers, teachers, workers, clergy, romantic partners ... you get the picture.

Obviously I'm not going to spend the whole session just talking about types of relationships.  My focus will be on safety within those relationships ... power, what is and is not ok in different kinds of relationships, red flags for unhealthy relationships, sexual assault and domestic violence.

I think that it's important to go beyond the mechanics and technicalities of sex, and talk about the more personal side of things.  Sex doesn't happen in a vacuum (and if it does ... well ... let's chat ...); there are a whole bunch of other factors involved with a person's decision to engage or not engage in sexual activity.  From now until the end of the workshop, it's that kind of stuff that we will be talking about on Wednesday nights!

Which reminds me - this is week 7 already!  Wow!  It's gone by SO FAST, and has been far more successful than I could have asked for.  This is GREAT!